PairPi

Picture Books Literary Agents

189 agents · 108 currently open to submissions

Picture books are a specialist category. They look small from the outside, but agents know how precise they are: page turns, rhythm, visual potential, age fit, humour, tenderness, and a text that leaves room for the illustrator to do real storytelling. A picture book submission has to prove it understands the form, not just the audience.

A word on the search. Some agents say picture books, some say illustrated books, and some only list children's broadly. This page narrows to agents with picture book or illustration signals. Use the broad search toggle on the main directory if you want the broader children's list before deciding who genuinely handles picture books.

Every listing on PairPi is verified against the agent's own website, with the date we last checked. If you are an author-only picture book writer, check each agency's guidelines carefully: some want illustrator-authors, some are open to text-only submissions, and some separate the two.

Refine search
Represents

Illustrators, artists, children's illustration, picture books, publishing, art licensing

Wants: Jpg samples, art samples

Looking for

Professional children's illustrators and commercial artists for publishing, licensing, greeting cards, products, and related illustration work.

How to submit

Use the official artist submissions page. Submit JPG samples for consideration and state interest in Advocate Art Agency. Applications are reviewed with ITSme and Advocate Art agents.

Last checked 27 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Illustrators, artists, children's illustration, picture books, publishing, art licensing

Wants: Jpg samples, art samples

Looking for

Professional children's illustrators and commercial artists for publishing, licensing, greeting cards, products, and related illustration work.

How to submit

Use the official artist submissions page. Submit JPG samples for consideration and state interest in Advocate Art Agency. Applications are reviewed with ITSme and Advocate Art agents.

Last checked 27 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Illustrators, artists, children's illustration, picture books, publishing, art licensing

Wants: Jpg samples, art samples

Looking for

Professional children's illustrators and commercial artists for publishing, licensing, greeting cards, products, and related illustration work.

How to submit

Use the official artist submissions page. Submit JPG samples for consideration and state interest in Advocate Art Agency. Applications are reviewed with ITSme and Advocate Art agents.

Last checked 27 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Illustrators, artists, children's illustration, picture books, publishing, art licensing

Wants: Jpg samples, art samples

Looking for

Professional children's illustrators and commercial artists for publishing, licensing, greeting cards, products, and related illustration work.

How to submit

Use the official artist submissions page. Submit JPG samples for consideration and state interest in Advocate Art Agency. Applications are reviewed with ITSme and Advocate Art agents.

Last checked 27 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Graphic novels, picture book illustrators, middle grade, young adult, new adult, adult fiction

Wants: Query letter

Looking for

Chelsea Eberly represents graphic novelists, picture book illustrators, middle grade, young adult, crossover new adult, and select adult novels. She wants high-concept hooks, high-stakes plots, vivid illustrations, unique voices, speculative fiction, sweeping fantasy, unforgettable settings, tight timelines, romance, graphic novels across ages and genres, YA love stories, fantasy, retellings, speculative twists, MG with emotional punch, underdogs, found families, ambitious POV choices, and picture book illustrators with distinct style.

How to submit

Submit through Chelsea Eberly's official QueryTracker or QueryManager link on her Folio Jr. profile.

Last checked 26 Jun 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Picture books, chapter books, middle grade, young adult, children's nonfiction, illustrated books

Wants: Contact information, bio, synopsis or proposal, sample chapters or manuscripts, portfolio link

Looking for

Emily Mitchell represents authors and illustrators from picture books to YA and is accepting new clients in all genres for children. Wernick & Pratt is most interested in author-illustrators in picture books, humorous young chapter books with strong voice, unique and compelling chapter books, and literary or commercial middle grade and YA novels.

How to submit

Email submissions to submissions@wernickpratt.com and indicate that you are submitting to Emily Mitchell. Send contact information, referral information if any, whether the submission is exclusive, background and publishing history, and format-specific materials: first three chapters and brief synopsis for novels, two different picture book manuscripts for picture books, full manuscript for chapter books, synopsis or proposal plus three sample chapters for MG or YA nonfiction, or PDF samples and a portfolio link for illustrators.

Last checked 26 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Middle grade, young adult, graphic novels, picture books, fantasy, horror, women's fiction, science fiction, pop culture, humor, nonfiction

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first twenty pages or proposal, artwork or portfolio link

Looking for

Emily S. Keyes is actively searching for children's literature and select adult genre fiction that is not serious literature. She is generally looking for books for young readers and the young at heart, especially work that fosters the joy of reading in kids. In nonfiction she is looking for nonfiction picture books, interesting nonfiction for middle grade and YA readers, especially from creators with a platform, and select adult nonfiction.

How to submit

Submit through Emily Keyes' official linked QueryManager page. The form asks for author information, title, word count, genre, query letter, optional synopsis, target audience, comparable books, AI-use disclosure, first 20 pages or full nonfiction proposal, and optional artwork, illustrations, or portfolio link.

Last checked 26 Jun 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

New adult, young adult, middle grade, picture books, romantasy, mystery, speculative fiction, comedy, romantic comedy

Wants: Query letter, first ten pages, picture book dummy, portfolio link

Looking for

Emily van Beek is looking for new adult coming-of-age stories with series potential, romantasy with a fresh hook, cozy mysteries with series potential, high-concept speculative fiction, family drama, comedy, rom-coms, high-concept and well-written YA with bold voice and emotional connection, exquisitely imagined middle grade, funny or mischievous middle grade, and picture books by author-illustrators with award-worthy artwork, character-driven series potential, and diverse creators featuring diverse stories.

How to submit

Email Emily van Beek at emily@foliolitmanagement.com with QUERY in the subject line. Send a query letter and the first ten pages of the manuscript in the body of the email. For picture books, attach a PDF dummy, portfolio links are welcome. Send queries to this address only because queries to other addresses may not be considered.

Last checked 26 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Picture books, middle grade, young adult, fantasy, mystery, romantasy, horror, humor, narrative nonfiction, nature and ecology, pop culture, women's issues

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first three chapters or proposal

Looking for

Emelie Burl represents books for all ages and across many genres. She is drawn to cozy projects across fiction and nonfiction, found family, magic, nature, self-acceptance, folklore, diversity, queer joy, female rage, immersive storytelling, hopeful stories with edge, grounded fantasy, unusual or offbeat characters, journalistic deep dives with personal narrative, humor, and children's books that meet kids where they are.

How to submit

Submit to Emelie Burl through her official linked QueryManager form only. Direct email queries will be deleted unread. The form asks for author information, query letter, synopsis, AI-use disclosure, and the first three chapters or, for nonfiction, the full book proposal.

Last checked 26 Jun 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, illustrated non-fiction, serious non-fiction

Looking for

Novels across the literary-commercial scale and non-fiction from highly illustrated to serious non-fiction, with diversity within the list as an ever-present priority. Does not represent scriptwriting, high fantasy, or, in non-fiction, business, self-help or parenting books. Represents poetry and children's books (including MG and YA) only where she already represents the author.

How to submit

Email submissions@philippasitters.co.uk with a cover letter in the email body. For fiction, attach the first 30 pages (double spaced) and a 1-2 page synopsis (single spaced) as Word documents or PDFs. For non-fiction, attach a proposal with a detailed chapter outline and up to three sample chapters (double spaced), information on target market and comparable titles is helpful but not required.

Last checked 23 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Poetry, picture books, young fiction, middle grade fiction, ya fiction, children's non-fiction, author-illustrators

Wants: Children's fiction/non-fiction; picture books; first 3 chapters for fiction

Looking for

Poetry, picture books, young fiction, middle grade fiction, YA fiction and non-fiction for children, and author-illustrators who both write and illustrate their own work as well as illustrate for other authors

How to submit

Send a short synopsis, first 3 chapters for fiction (excluding prologues), or full manuscript for picture books, plus a covering letter with full contact details including email address. Submit electronically to john.mclay@btinternet.com or by post, if posting include a stamped self-addressed envelope.

Last checked 23 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Picture books, chapter books, middle grade, young adult, adult fiction, nonfiction, romance, speculative fiction

Wants: Query letter, bio, manuscript or proposal, portfolio link

Looking for

Abigail Frank wants weird, expansive books for young readers, including original picture books, chapter books with big personalities, and novels about unforgettable teens falling in love. She is especially interested in author-illustrators, lyrical and inventive picture book texts, distinct visual art, stories by marginalized creators, and select adult projects including visual nonfiction, gift nonfiction, genre-defying nonfiction, lightly speculative fiction, commercial rom-coms, and work about labor and capital.

How to submit

Query Abigail Frank at afrank@sjga.com with the subject line QUERY - project title. Include a brief bio in the cover letter and attach the manuscript or proposal. Visual artists should include a portfolio link. Greenburger accepts email queries only and asks writers not to query more than one Greenburger agent simultaneously.

Last checked 22 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Graphic novels, picture books, illustrated books, general fiction, authors, illustrators, content creators

Wants: Query letter, first five pages, portfolio link

Looking for

Kate represents authors and illustrators for graphic novels and picture books. KO Media welcomes all ages, including children's, middle grade, young adult, and adult, as long as there is a visual or illustrated component.

How to submit

Email query@komediamanagement.com with the subject line Query for Kate Rogers: Title. Paste query and samples only, attachments are not opened. Authors should paste the first five pages, picture book authors should paste the full text, and illustrators or content creators should include a portfolio link.

Last checked 21 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Illustrators, children's illustration, educational publishing, religious publishing

Wants: Pdf portfolio, website link, art samples

Looking for

Children's education and religion illustration projects, with a focus on pairing artists with children's publishing clients.

How to submit

Use the official Bright submissions form. Illustrators should upload a PDF portfolio with at least 10 samples and a website or social media link. Author-illustrators should follow the relevant picture book or Middle Grade instructions and include art samples.

Last checked 20 Jun 2026Via Online Form
Represents

Author-illustrators, picture books, board books, middle grade, young adult, children's books, poetry

Wants: Query letter, portfolio link, picture book dummy, first three pages, bio, comparison titles

Looking for

Authors and author-illustrators of books for children and teens, including board books, picture books, fiction, literary nonfiction, poetry, Middle Grade, and Young Adult. She does not want adult projects and does very few chapter books or Young Adult projects.

How to submit

Email the full text for board books or picture books in the body of the message. Author-illustrators should include a link to the dummy and sample illustrated pages, with no attachments. Longer works should include the first three pages, project description, bio information, relevant experience, recent comparison titles, audience notes, and why Mary Cummings may be a fit.

Last checked 19 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Author-illustrators, picture books, graphic novels, middle grade, young adult, children's books

Wants: Cover letter, synopsis, portfolio link, art samples, picture book dummy, first 20 pages, graphic novel sample

Looking for

Author-illustrators who write their own picture books and graphic novels, Middle Grade fiction and nonfiction, and Young Adult fiction. LK Literary Agency does not represent adult work, picture book text-only authors, or illustrators who are not yet writing their own work.

How to submit

Email a cover letter with pitch, synopsis, contact information, and online presence in the body of the message. Novel submissions should paste the first 20 pages into the email. Emailed illustrator portfolios are accepted at 72 dpi, online portfolios are welcome, picture book dummies should be PDF attachments, and graphic novel submissions should include a PDF of two to three illustrated chapters with text.

Last checked 19 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Illustrators, author-illustrators, children's illustration, picture books

Wants: Pdf portfolio, website link, art samples

Looking for

Trade children's book illustrators and author-illustrators, with a focus on visual storytelling, portfolio development, and author-illustrated picture book stories.

How to submit

Use the official Bright submissions form. Illustrators should upload a PDF portfolio with at least 10 samples and a website or social media link. Author-illustrators should follow the relevant picture book or Middle Grade instructions and include art samples.

Last checked 18 Jun 2026Via Online Form
Represents

Authors and illustrators across all genres and age ranges, non-fiction

Looking for

Picture books with strong characterisation, genuine emotional impact, and artwork and stories that feel full of life; non-fiction where artists and authors bring fresh energy to familiar subjects through a new perspective or by experimenting with style and format

How to submit

Online form - https://thebrightagency.com or uk or submissions or new?division=literary

Last checked 18 Jun 2026Via Online Form
Represents

Commercial fiction, literary fiction, young adult, children's books, biography, memoir, music, popular science, politics, social justice, adult illustrated, cookbooks, sports, health and wellness, fashion, art, design, popular culture

Wants: Query letter

Looking for

Thompson Literary is always on the lookout for both commercial and literary fiction, as well as young adult and children's books. Nonfiction is their specialty, with interests including biography, memoir, music, popular science, politics, social justice, adult illustrated, cookbooks, sports, health and wellness, fashion, art, design, and popular culture.

How to submit

All agents at Thompson Literary Agency are now accepting queries through Query Manager. Please click to view agent bios, which have specific query instructions for each.

Last checked 17 Jun 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Children's fiction, children's non-fiction, picture books, graphic novels, ya, middle grade, adult sff, adult fantasy

Wants: Children's: fiction/non-fiction/picture books/graphic novels; not currently taking picture-book-text-only creators. adult: imaginative SFF with thoughtful society/humanity themes; cosy or dark; witches/magicians/werewolves/teashops welcomed

Looking for

A middle grade or YA standalone reflecting the experience of growing up in a multicultural or multifaith household. A character-led teen series in which the protagonist pursues an exciting career, in the vein of Geek Girl or Alex Rider. Dark academia for YA or adult with detailed worldbuilding and an emphasis on the dark. Palestinian voices in any age group or genre.

How to submit

Email christabelsubmissions@davidhigham.co.uk with your submission. Note that writers focusing solely on picture book texts are not currently being taken on.

Last checked 14 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Adult nonfiction, graphic novels, picture books

Wants: First four pages of graphic novel or complete graphic novel proposal, self-illustrated picture book manuscript with at least two pages of full-color illustrations

Looking for

Visual storytellers and their captivating art-driven literature. Adult non-fiction writers who are determined to break apart conventional wisdoms

How to submit

Please *only submit* - attached as a pdf to a brief email introducing yourself, including 'Query' in the subject line

Last checked 11 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Picture books, graphic novels, chapter books, middle grade fiction, young adult fiction, new adult fiction, adult fiction, adult non-fiction

Wants: Query letter, first chapter, synopsis, full manuscript, sample chapter, book proposal

Looking for

Picture books that are funny, unexpected, character-centric, interactive, or cover nonfiction/history. Middle-grade fiction with interactive elements, adventure/mystery stories with offbeat protagonists, and stories for kids who need consistent input. Young Adult/New Adult fantasy with big relationships, high-impact dangerous books, urban fantasy, and soapy drama. Commercial adult fiction including compelling fantasy, thrillers with bite, horror with romance, and weird feminist genre work.

How to submit

Submit through QueryManager only. Fiction requires query letter, first chapter, and synopsis. Picture books need query and entire manuscript. Nonfiction needs full proposal with sample chapter.

Last checked 9 Jun 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Adult nonfiction, adult fiction, children's literature, picture books, middle grade, young adult, graphic novels

Looking for

Cooking, drinks, health/wellness, lifestyle, self-help, women's issues, memoir, cat content, underrepresented voices. Occasional adult fiction for existing clients or via referrals. Select children's literature in special circumstances.

How to submit

Submit queries here: http:// queryManager.com or JenNewens

Last checked 7 Jun 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Children's fiction, young adult fiction, genre fiction, speculative fiction, non-fiction, illustration

Wants: Query letter, first ten pages

Looking for

Susan Graham represents illustrators across format and age categories, genre and speculative fiction, select nonfiction, and children's and young adult prose. They are very interested in children's and young adult nonfiction.

How to submit

Email query letters to mail@dclagency.com and paste the first ten pages of your manuscript below your letter. Address your email to a specific agent. Submitting to more than one agent at a time is permitted, but indicate which agents you are querying. Emails with attachments will not be opened.

Last checked 5 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Children's fiction, children's non-fiction, picture books, chapter books, middle grade, graphic novels

Wants: Query letter, author bio, sample pages

Looking for

She is drawn to stories with a distinct voice, unexpected wit, aggressive pacing, punchy and/or emotionally resonant endings. She is especially eager to see authentic explorations of underrepresented cultures, relationships, and identities.

How to submit

Submit via QueryManager only during the first 15 days of each month. Include query letter, author bio, and sample pages as specified in agency guidelines.

Last checked 2 Jun 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Middle grade, young adult, upmarket adult fiction, grounded fantasy, adult romance, narrative non-fiction, graphic novels, picture books

Looking for

Michaela is most strongly interested in finding middle grade and young adult projects of all genres, upmarket adult fiction, and grounded fantasy. They are also open to select adult romance, narrative nonfiction for both children and adults, graphic novels, and picture books. Specifically seeks sibling stories.

How to submit

Submit only via Query Manager. Include full query in body, first 25 pages for fiction or proposal with sample chapter for nonfiction. For picture books, include full text and dummy or sample art if available. Query only one agent at the agency at a time.

Last checked 1 Jun 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, thriller, horror, science fiction, fantasy, speculative fiction, historical fiction, picture books, middle grade, young adult, romance, mystery

Wants: Query letter, author bio, sample pages

Looking for

Laura would love to find fantasy, spec fiction, alternate history, and horror with fresh, original, unexpected reimaginings. She seeks retellings that reinvent underlying traditions, gothic suspense or thrillers, romantasy that is more romantic fantasy than fantasy romance, high concept rom-coms, and sexy historical romance. She also wants thrillers and mysteries with dynamic, unexpected characters and rich psychological insights.

How to submit

Click on the QueryManager link in the agent's bio, follow the prompts, and complete all required fields including a short query letter with a description of your work, previous publishing credentials, a short author bio, contact information, and for novels: first 10 pages of text.

Last checked 1 Jun 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Thriller, horror, historical fiction, science fiction, fantasy, adult fiction, board books, picture books, early readers, chapter books, middle grade, young adult fiction, young adult non-fiction

Wants: Query letter, author bio, first 10 pages

Looking for

Lara is currently open to adult fiction queries only. She seeks thrillers, horror with purpose, historical fiction that feels immediate and hooky, and grounded and unexpected science fiction and fantasy. She is always excited to see unreliable narrators, twisty mysteries, eerie settings, psychological horror, and character-driven stories with sparks of magic.

How to submit

Submit through QueryManager with a short query letter, author bio, contact information, and first 10 pages of text for novels. Complete the required fields in the submission form.

Last checked 1 Jun 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Picture books, middle grade, chapter books, illustration

Wants: Query letter, author bio, sample pages, portfolio link

Looking for

Middle grade in all genres with children finding their space in their world, especially strong-willed underdogs or quirky, misunderstood, or overlooked children. Picture books that are funny and character-driven, beautifully written, or milestone moments with emotional endings. Commercial action-packed chapter book series for emerging readers.

How to submit

Query via QueryManager with query letter, author bio, contact information, and sample pages. For picture book texts, must submit 3 completed texts and query only on the 1st day of each month. For illustrators, include portfolio link.

Last checked 1 Jun 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Picture books, author-illustrators, nonfiction picture books, middle grade, young adult, contemporary fiction, light fantasy, near-future dystopian, speculative fiction, psychological thriller, mystery, literary ghost stories, women's fiction, memoir, bipoc voices, diverse voices

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first ten pages, picture book manuscript, portfolio

Looking for

Allison is looking for author-illustrator picture books, nonfiction picture books, middle grade with voice and a strong main character, YA contemporary coming-of-age, fantasy grounded in reality, near-future dystopian and high-concept speculative work, psychological thrillers, twisty mysteries, literary ghost stories, women's fiction, and memoir. She is interested in diverse and BIPOC voices.

How to submit

Email Allison Remcheck at the spelled-out SLS submissions address listed on the Stimola submissions page. Picture book manuscripts should be attached as Word documents, dummies or portfolios as PDFs, first ten pages of middle-grade, YA, and adult fiction should be pasted in the email, a synopsis attachment is welcome.

Last checked 26 May 2026Via Email
Represents

Nonfiction, practical lifestyle, how-to, wellness, mindfulness, cookbooks, narrative nonfiction, history, cultural criticism, ecology, food, social justice, illustrated books, literary estates

Wants: Query letter

Looking for

Jenny represents award-winning nonfiction, including practical lifestyle and how-to projects, wellness and mindfulness, cookbooks, narrative nonfiction about history, cultural criticism, ecology and the natural world, food, and social justice. For adults and kids, she loves highly designed books that inform and inspire through text and image.

How to submit

Submit through Sterling Lord Literistic's submissions page and choose only one SLL agent to query. The agency says it can only respond if interested in seeing more material.

Last checked 26 May 2026Via Online Form

More Age-Led Searches

Picture Books by Country

Find the right literary agent

Filter the full directory by genre, country, submission method, and open status, then save agents and track your submissions.

Browse all agents